Stall holders - education services
Lots of local support services will be hosting a stall in the marketplace areas. See below, and on the following pages for details of who will be there.
Where a referral from a professional is needed to access the service we have shown this.
Education
Figure of Eight Education
We exist to provide a comprehensive educational programme for children and young people aged 5 to 19 that caters for the whole person: academically, vocationally, socially, morally, physically and emotionally.
Our task is to serve our learners, families and the wider community through our shared values of raising aspirations, unlocking potential and working to achieve excellence by encouraging a ‘can do’ attitude which nurtures confident and competent people.
We aim to work in partnership with local primary and secondary schools and Local Authorities to provide individual personalised education for young people at threat of permanent exclusion. We aspire to forge links with local businesses, charitable organisations and work-based learning providers.
Contact: nick.sweeney@figureofeighteducation.co.uk or 01702 567078. Website: https://figureofeighteducation.co.uk
A referral from a professional is required to access this service.
Learn with Mr V at Raw Learning
A brand‑new learning opportunity joining the therapeutic and nurturing community at Raw Learning. Learn With Mr V offers high‑quality, personalised Maths and English tuition for children and young people aged 5 to 18, both one‑to‑one and in small groups, designed to support learners all the way up to and including GCSE level.
Whether your child thrives through immersive exploration or benefits from a structured, targeted learning style, this new partnership will help our young people to learn in a way that reduces stress and increases engagement.
Contact: Learnwithmisterv@gmail.com or 07985 074673. Website: https://learnwithmisterv.co.uk
Southend City Community College
Provider of education and training for young people aged 16 to 19, adults aged 19 plus, and learners with SEND.
Contact: sacc@southend-adult.ac.uk or 01702 445700. Website: https://southend-adult.ac.uk
Southend-on-Sea City Council Early Years SEND service
We provide advice, guidance and support to families of children aged 0 to 5 years and early years settings. The support helps them meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from birth to the end of school reception year.
Our mission is to break down barriers to learning and promote inclusive, high-quality SEND provision across early years settings. We offer training, advice, and practical support to families and settings, alongside specialised services such as our Play and Development Group, which provides sensory and play experiences for children with SEND. Our commitment is to help every child with SEND transition successfully into early years settings or school, fostering positive outcomes for all.
Contact: earlyyearssendteam@southend.gov.uk Website: Team information on the Local Offer.
A referral from a professional is required to access this service.
Southend-on-Sea City Council Inclusion Team
We aim to support schools, young people, and families in Southend by focusing on ways to engage young people in their learning.
We do this through early intervention and looking at key strategies such as the prevention of/and reducing exclusions. We aim to work together with the local community to provide a supportive service.
The Inclusion Team can offer support on the following: advice around preventative strategies regarding exclusions and procedures; advice around school placement/managed moves/directions; signposting schools to information and key services; link service to advice regarding elective home education (EHE), Part-time Timetables (PTT), Alternative Provision (AP) and the Education Access Team (EAT).
The team support children and young people aged 0 to 16, their families and professionals.
Contact: Inclusion@southend.gov.uk. Website: https://livewellsouthend.com/send-local-offer/inclusion-team
Southend-on-Sea City Council School Admissions Team
We can provide information for admissions to state mainstream schools for Reception and Year 3 in 2026 and for in year admissions during the school year 2025/26. Providing support for families of children and young people aged 5 to 16.
Contact: admissions@southend.gov.uk or 01702 212934. Website: https://southend.gov.uk/admissions
Southend-on-Sea City Council SEND Therapies Team
SEND Therapies offers Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) support to nurseries and schools to allow them to better support the needs of their students. We have a team of Speech and Language Therapy assistants who offer weekly intervention sessions to children on a range of topics including; active listening, vocabulary, phonological awareness, social skills and narrative. These are run jointly with a member of school staff to support legacy.
Our Occupational Therapist offers schools support with making their environment accessible to students with sensory differences and offers advice on completing sensory profiles for their students. Both SLT and OT offer monthly, virtual, training sessions for settings on a variety of topics. We have also provided all settings and childminders within Southend access to an online speech and language screener and resource base.
Contact: SENDtherapies@Southend.gov.uk Website: https://southendlearningnetwork.co.uk/Page/44448
A referral from a professional is required to access this service.
Southend-on-Sea City Council Specialist Teaching Service
We support children and young people with SEND in Southend mainstream schools, working with families and professionals to promote inclusive, high-quality education.
Every child is unique. We provide practical strategies to support learning, confidence, and independence through specialist teams: Autism and Social Communication, Cognition and Language, SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health), Physical and Medical Needs and a Sensory Team for vision or hearing loss.
We offer: assessments, training, family support, SEND provision development and transition support (Y1 and Y6 to 7). We support children and young people with SEND aged 0 to 25 years (Sensory Team), and school year 1 to 25 (Main Team); their parent carers/family members and professionals.
Free resources are available on our YouTube channel and our padlet.
Contact: STS@southend.gov.uk Website: team information on the Local Offer.
South Essex Colleges Group
The Additional Learning Support Team provide support for learners aged 16 to 25 in order to meet their needs and enable them to access the curriculum. This support can be in class, through meet and greets, break support, mentoring or providing exam access arrangements.
Contact: anne-marie.hayter@southessex.ac.uk Website: https://www.southessex.ac.uk/
Southend Educational Psychology Service
We use psychology with hope and compassion to empower children and young people from birth to 25. We work collaboratively with families, schools, and communities to promote inclusion, wellbeing, and learning.
Through early intervention, evidence-based practice, and a holistic approach, we aim to reduce barriers, celebrate strengths, and create sustainable, positive change, so that every child and young person can thrive, feel heard, and reach their full potential.
Contact: EPteam@southend.gov.uk Website: https://www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk/Page/36150
A referral from a professional is required to access this service.
Education and health
Affinity team, HCRG Care Group, Child and Family Wellbeing Services
The Affinity Programme is a targeted early intervention service across Essex, Southend and Thurrock, supporting children and young people aged 5 to 16 at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream school, due to emotional dysregulation.
Delivered by HCRG Care Group and commissioned by the NHS under the Framework for Integrated Care, it promotes joined-up, person-centred support. Using a trauma-informed, multi-agency approach, Affinity practitioners work with the child, family and school to understand and respond to unmet needs. Support includes personalised sessions, restorative approaches, and staff training to build school capacity.
Referrals are made by mainstream education settings, including for pupils returning from alternative provision.
Contact: vcl.essex-affinityprogramme@nhs.net or 0300 247 0074. Website: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/services/affinity-programme/
Education, health and social care
All Age Autism Outreach Service
We specialise in providing support for autistic individuals, and professional consultation and training for those working alongside them. We offer person-centred support for autistic individuals and those awaiting an autism assessment. We are a multi-disciplinary team, including members whose personal experience of living with autism enables them to offer Peer Support.
We meet with the individuals, and their family, to complete a person-centred assessment and develop a personalised plan to ensure support is tailored to an individual's needs. Intervention and support is offered for between 3 to 12 months.
We provide consultation for professionals requiring support to adapt the delivery of their work to support autistic individuals, and support and help services to develop an awareness, and acceptance, of the needs of autistic people. We support children, young people and adults with SEND, their parent carers and professionals.
Contact: setautismoutreachservice@hcrgcaregroup.com or 0300 247 0076. Website: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/services/all-age-autism-outreach-service/
A referral from a professional is required to access this service.
Education and activities
Southend Music on Sea
Southend Music on Sea is a vibrant hub for music lovers, offering a diverse range of music accessible to all. Music on Sea aims to support schools and other education settings to deliver high quality music education. We support children and young people to further develop their musical interest and talent, including into employment.
This includes opportunities for all children and young people to engage with a range of musical opportunities, both in and outside of school. We do this through communication, participation, opportunity, excellence, accessibility, collaboration and enjoyment.
We serve as a local hub for music education and community engagement, offering instruments for hire and performance opportunities. With a commitment to making music accessible and enjoyable for everyone, Music on Sea is a place where music is celebrated and cherished.
The service supports children and young people aged 4 to 18.
Contact: MusicOnSea@southend.gov.uk Website: https://www.musiconsea.co.uk/site/
Education, activities and preparing for adulthood
Applewood Learning Ltd
A flexible Alternative Provision based in Essex, providing personalised educational support for children and young people aged 7 to 25 who are unable to access full time education within a traditional school environment.
We are proud to be an approved Alternative Provision provider with Southend-on-Sea City Council and work collaboratively with local authorities, schools, families and external professionals to support young people with a range of needs and barriers to education.
We provide bespoke educational packages tailored to individual needs, strengths and long term outcomes. Our aim is to help young people re-engage with learning, re-build confidence and make meaningful academic, social and emotional progress within a safe an supportive environment.
Contact info@applewoodlearning.co.uk or 07907 520710. Website: https://www.applewoodlearning.co.uk
Education, activities and health
Raw Learning Community CIC
A community interest company providing screening and identification of neurodivergent needs, forest school alternative provision services and Neuroaffirmative tutoring to support neurodivergent children, suspected or diagnosed, with the relevant knowledge and interventions required to allow them to thrive.
Provides support for children and young people from rising 5's to 16's, their families and professionals.
Contact: info@rawlearning.co.uk or 07950 455607. Website: https://rawlearning.co.uk
Education, health, social Care, legal and preparing for adulthood
SENDIASS Southend
The role of SENDIASS Southend is to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their parents or carers have access to impartial information, advice and support so that they can make informed decisions about matters relating to their special educational needs.
Providing support for parent carers of children and young people with SEND aged 0 to 25, young people with SEND aged 14 to 25, and professionals.
Contact: iass@southend.gov.uk or 01702 215499. Website: https://sendiasssouthend.co.uk/
Education and preparing for adulthood
1Up Collective
A multi disciplinary group that works to help young people aged 14 to 21 to identify and reach their potential through education and social inclusion.
We drive change by delivering bespoke educational/vocational programmes and interventions for young people and work related learning; training other organisations in their ability to work with young people and advising organisations that want to engage with young people.
Contact: admin@1upcollective.com or 07889 334359. Website: https://www.1Upcollective.com
A referral from a professional is required to access this service.
Independent Living Skills Academy (ILSA) - Southend City Community College
This is Southend City Community College's specialist provision for young people aged 16 to 19 (19+ considered where appropriate) with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
ILSA focuses on developing the skills, confidence and independence needed for adult life, with a strong emphasis on preparation for work, further learning and community participation. Through personalised programmes and structured support, learners build employability skills and self confidence, progressing at their own pace towards positive adult outcomes.
ILSA programmes support learners to develop communication, social interaction and practical work skills that promote personal development in everyday and work-related settings. This includes areas such as travel training, managing money and personal organisation.
Contact: sacc@southend-adult.ac.uk or 01702 445700. Website: https://southend-adult.ac.uk/independent-living-skills-academy/
Southend Careers Service
We a leading provider of Careers, information advice and guidance for young people in Essex. We are committed to providing a high-quality, professional, and inclusive service that you can trust. We hold MATRIX Accreditation, which means we meet national quality standards for information, advice, and guidance.
We are an all-age service.
Contact: careersguidance@southend.gov.uk or 01702 534300. Website: https://southendcareers.co.uk/
Southend-on-Sea City Council Preparing for Adulthood Advisor
Kate Clarke is the Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) Advisor. Contact Kate for information about the Preparing for Adulthood strategy. Kate is also delivering a series of Preparing for Adulthood webinars and will be running an interactive careers day on 30 June 2026.
Contact: Kateclarke@southend.gov.uk Website: PFA information on the Local Offer
Southend-on-Sea City Council Preparing for Adulthood Team
The team sits within the SEND Team and oversees statutory responsibilities for young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) aged 14 to 25.
This includes coordinating and quality assuring annual reviews, managing phase transfers, and leading on complex casework. The team supports transition planning into post-16 and post-19 provision, ensuring education, employment, training and independence outcomes are appropriately planned and and secured.
They also monitor and track young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, working with partners to re-engage them in suitable provision. In addition, the team manages ceasing processes for EHCPs where appropriate, ensuring decisions are evidence-based and compliant with statutory guidance, while promoting positive Preparing for Adulthood outcomes across education, health and social care.
Contact: nanakofiokyere@southend.gov.uk Website: Team information on the Local Offer.
Southend YMCA Community School
Southend YMCA Community School was set up through the Free School system. It is our mission to provide an alternative route for young people to gain a suitable education, aiding them to contribute, thrive and reach their potential.
Our vision is to ‘Stand in the Gap’, helping young people to build their future through a holistic education where pupils aged 14 to 19 will acquire the knowledge, skills, experiences and qualifications to make the successful transition to adulthood.
It is our belief that young people should be offered access to high quality provision. The acquisition of relevant and meaningful skills, knowledge, qualifications and experiences will increase life chances and aid economic inclusion for young people outside the mainstream school system.
Contact: info@ymca.southend.sch.uk or 01702 987820. Website: https://southendymcacommunityschool.org.uk/
USP College
We support young people aged 16 to 25. We offer A-Levels, T-Levels, Vocational Courses, Foundation Learning, Higher Education and Adult Education. We have a passion for ensuring young people are choosing the right pathway for them.
We offer a range of SEND courses designed to help young people develop independence, employability, and essential life skills in a supportive environment. A key feature of our provision is the Supported Internship programme, which gives students with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) the opportunity to gain meaningful work experience with local employers while receiving tailored support from job coaches and specialist staff. These internships focus on building confidence, independence and workplace skills.
Guidance is also given in exploring employment opportunities with support for job applications, CV completion and interview practice.
Contact: julie.clark@uspcollege.ac.uk or 01268 882688. Website: https://www.uspcollege.ac.uk/